BOISE — More firefighters were called in to fight a fast-growing Central Idaho wildfire that has been classified as one of the top priorities in the region.
The Sharps Fire about 6 miles east of Bellevue on Tuesday nearly doubled in size to 54 square miles and started burning into the Sawtooth National Forest. It was 20 percent contained Tuesday evening.
At last count, there were 220 personnel working the fire Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day, when there were around 150 firefighters at the blaze, fire spokeswoman Kim Osborn said they faced tough conditions with temperatures in the 90s, low humidity, gusty winds and steep terrain.
Sharps Fire
Authorities said somebody shooting an exploding target on Sunday started the fire that's burning in grass and timber.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Little Wood Recreation Area campground and all residences on Little Wood Reservoir Road and Flat Top Road north of the reservoir. High Five Recreation sites are also evacuated and closed to the public.
Fish Creek Road is under a pre-evacuation notice.
Muldoon Canyon Road is closed from EE-DA-HO Ranch (east of Bellevue) to Hunt Road. Little Wood Reservoir Road is closed at the reservoir. High Five, Baugh Creek, Bay Horse and Hunt roads are also closed.
In new closures, Quigley Road is closed at the mouth of the canyon where the pavement ends. Slaughterhouse Creek Road. is also closed where the pavement ends. The Forest Service has also closed Cove Creek Road 1.5 miles from East Fork Road.
A community information meeting is scheduled at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Carey School. Incident Commander Beth Lund will provide an update on the fire.
